Fighter Pilot Podcast

A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever.

This third episode of The Merge explores the fateful flight of June 13, 2008 from the brief up to moment of impact.

Brought to you by BVR Productions.

A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever.

This second episode of The Merge explores NAS Fallon and why squadrons detach there, and introduces this mini-series' main characters.

The Merge is brought to you by BVR Productions.

A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever.

This first episode of The Merge introduces this mini-series with a description of Naval Aviation in 2008.

Brought to you by BVR Productions.

Electronic warfare is a crucial element of armed conflict involving controlling and protecting the electromagnetic spectrum which is vital for communication, navigation, and target identification. EW also permits the disruption and denial of adversaries' use of the spectrum, hindering their ability to operate effectively.

Benjamin “Chuck” Angus, Director of Business Development in Nav...

In the early 2000s, Tesla upended the automotive industry with its ground-breaking electric vehicles and recharging network. Twenty years later, Boom Supersonic is attempting to do the same in the airline industry—will it work?

On this episode, Tristan Brandenberg and Nick Sheryka join guest host Ken Katz to discuss Boom Supersonic's ambitious initiative to return supersonic airline travel, including creating all-new aircraft, e...

June 14, 2025, marks the U.S. Army's 250th birthday

To celebrate, the entire month is dedicated to army aviation, continuing with this rebroadcast of episode 089 exploring the helicopter that is small in stature but huge in capability and adored by the ground forces it defends.

Learn more about our guest, Ryan Robicheaux's Scout's Out project here.

Advanced weapons and sensors are required to prevail in modern combat, but determining how these and the many other pieces integrate into the broader joint fight can become costly.

Tom Wiley, Senior Director Integrated Solutions Modeling & Architecture at Raytheon, a business of RTX, joins us this week to discuss how Raytheon's Rapid Campaign Analysis and Demonstration Environment (RCADE) assists decision-makers in thi...

Manchester. Lancaster. Lincoln. Lancastrian. York. Tudor. Shackleton...

To most, this is simply a list of obscure names. But to some, these are the beloved branches of a family tree of bombers, airborne early warning, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft that extends from World War II well into the Cold War.

On this episode, Mr. Graham Barber explains the Avro Lancaster family tree, culminating in the Shackleton (AEW2 WR963) being re...

On Future War is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

On this final episode, OFW series host Scott "Roger" Chafian and guest Mike Roundtree discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning figure in escalation and de-escalation of conflict. Beyond military forces increasing their readiness, escalation includes a nation’s infr...

Few aircraft earn the battle-tested distinction of singularly turning the tide of entire theaters of world wars. The SBD Dauntless may just be one of them.

On this episode, Robert Harris, member of the Commemorative Air Force, and author Kevin Miller provide a tag team review of this venerable aircraft, from its pivotal role in World War ll in the Pacific to flying one of the few remaining airworthy examples remaining 80+ years late...

Longtime listeners of this channel sometimes comment that they seem to know more about each guest than they do the usual host, Jell-O.

On this episode, guest host Paul "Tremors" Tremelling turns the tables and interviews Jell-O about his new book, Through the Yellow Visor, an Amazon Best Seller chronicling his life and career.

Physical and e-book versions of Through the Yellow Visor can be purchased on Amazon; personalized ha...

What is the difference between automation and autonomy, and where does artificial intelligence fit in when it comes to military aviation?

On this episode, Ms. Jessica "STING" Peterson, Ph.D. student and part time Instructor Flight Test Engineer at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, explains the nuanced differences, drawing on her experience flight testing the RQ-4 Global Hawk and collision avoidance systems.

Aircraft, both...

The Boeing Bird of Prey was a mid-1990's stealth technology demonstrator used to test low-observable stealth techniques and develop new methods of aircraft design. The recent F-47 sixth generation fighter, which will be a Boeing product, is thought to trace its lineage to the BBoP.

This episode features retired U.S Air Force and Boeing Corporation test pilot Doug "Benj" Benjamin, originally recorded in 2021. Benj was the...

Armed conflict is challenging enough, but when the very battlefield is a more significant threat than the enemy, the stakes are significantly raised.

On this episode, US Air Force LtCol Jahara "Franky" Matisek and retired US Coast Guard LCDR Jeremy McKenzie explain how military operations in the Arctic present unique challenges. Temperatures well below freezing not only make basic survival a struggle, but LCDs on avionics an...

On Future War is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

On this penultimate episode, OFW series regulars Scott "Roger" Chafian and Mike "Pako" Benitez discuss how big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are collectively changing not only our lives on a near-daily basis, but influencing armed conflict. And yet, h...